This article was co-authored by Clinton M. Sandvick, JD, PhD. Clinton M. Sandvick worked as a civil litigator in California for over 7 years. He received his JD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1998 and his PhD in American History from the University of Oregon in 2013.

There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.

There are multiple reasons as to why someone may want to change their name on a passport. For the most part, this is due to a recent marriage, or divorce, but it can also be due to a whole host of other personal reasons. When a name change does occur, it is very important to update your passport with the new information to ensure seamless travel. Once your name change has been officially processed and you have documentation to confirm the change is approved (that is, signed and notarized court documentation), you can proceed with the following steps to reflect this change on your passport.

Steps

Part 1

Preparing To Change Your Name On Your Passport

1

Gather required documentation. Filing a name change application requires supporting documentation to get started, and gathering them beforehand can make the process easier.

Ensure you have a certified name change document. This may vary depending on your reason for changing your name. For example, if you are changing your passport name due to an error on your passport, including your birth certificate will suffice. If you are changing due to a marriage, divorce, or other reason, be sure to include court documentation. [1]

Get a new passport photo taken. This photo must be in color, and 2 X 2 inches in size. These can be taken at a local Walgreens or CVS.[2]

Make sure to have your current passport ready.

2

Choose the required form. There are a few forms available to use to apply for a passport name change, depending on your circumstance.

If less than one year has passed since your passport was issued, you will use the DS-5504 form. There are no fees in this case.

If more than one year has passed since your passport was issued, you must use Form DS-82. In this case, there is a fee ($140 for an adult passport book and card), and it must be enclosed with the form, with personal check and money order being accepted only.[3]

3

Confirm that you are eligible to use the DS-82 form before proceeding. If more than one year has passed you are required to use the DS-82 form, but only if you are eligible. If you are not eligible, you can use the DS-11 form instead. You are eligible for the DS-82 form if you meet the following conditions.[4]

You can submit a copy of your most recent passport.

You were 16 or over when your latest passport was issued.

It has been less then 15 years since your last passport was issued.

Your last passport was not lost, damaged, or stolen

You can produce name change documentation.

Part 2

Changing Your Name On Your Passport

1

Complete the required form. Once you know which form to use, you can find a PDF version of each form on the U.S. Passports & International Travel website. Simply fill in the blank spaces in the form to complete it.

2

Package & mail the completed form with all required documentation. Once the form is complete, place the form, your current passport, a color passport photo, and any other fees or required information (the form you fill out with also state what to include) into a large envelope to mail.

If possible, use a Tyvek envelope as it will better protect your contents.[5]

Wait for your application to be processed. Processing times can vary. The routine processing time is approximately 4-6 weeks, the expedited processing time is 3 weeks, and if your passport is expedited at a U.S. Department of State Passport Agency, it can be completed within as little as 8 business days.[6]

There are 28 passport agencies in the U.S. that can provide expedited service, but proof of travel within two weeks is usually required to make an appointment.[7]

My passport has my first, middle, maiden and married name on it. My driver's license just has first, middle and married name. How do I take my maiden name off?

Community Answer

Fill out DS-82 or DS-5504 with a certified copy of your marriage certificate. The U.S. Department of State will print the name on your marriage certificate as the name on your passport. If your maiden name and married name (hyphenated or non-hyphenated) is on the marriage certificate, they will print both names. If only your new married name is on the marriage certificate, they will only print the new married name.

This may depend on the country, but in most countries the remaining years will not be credited toward a new passport if you get a new one before the old one expires. Usually up to 6 months may be credited, although you should check this for your country on the website used for passport application.

To change your name on a passport, have a document that shows the certified name change, such as a marriage license, and get a new passport photo taken. Next, choose the correct form, depending on your situation. If less than a year has passed since your passport was issued, use the DS-5504 form. If more than a year has passed, use Form DS-82. Fill out the form, then mail it along with your current passport and new passport photo to the National Passport Processing Center. For tips on how long to wait for processing, read on!

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Article Info

This article was co-authored by Clinton M. Sandvick, JD, PhD. Clinton M. Sandvick worked as a civil litigator in California for over 7 years. He received his JD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1998 and his PhD in American History from the University of Oregon in 2013.